Germany’s Rent Crisis Deepens as 26 Districts Cross 30% Income Threshold

From six districts in 2014 to 26 today—Germany’s rent crisis is accelerating. Will middle-income earners soon face impossible housing costs?

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2026 January 14 . 5:16 PM

1 min read

The image shows an old map of the city of Wiesbaden, Germany, framed in a photo frame. The map is... — The image shows an old map of the city of Wiesbaden, Germany, framed in a photo frame. The map is detailed and shows the streets, buildings, and other landmarks of the area. The text on the map provides additional information about the city, such as its population, roads, and landmarks.

Germany’s Rent Crisis Deepens as 26 Districts Cross 30% Income Threshold

Rent costs in Germany are escalating, with more cities grappling with financial strain on households. A new study reveals that 26 districts now see residents dedicating over 30% of their income to rent—up from just six in 2014. If current trends persist, over 90 areas could surpass that threshold by 2030.

The study, titled Higher Wages, Less Space, was conducted by DataPulse Research, a Berlin-based analytics firm. It gauged rent burdens using median wages and average rents for a 50-square-metre apartment. In Wiesbaden, the burden has steadily increased over the past decade.

In 2014, the average rent burden in Wiesbaden was 23.9%. By 2024, it had risen by 0.5 percentage points, reaching 24.4%. Though slightly above the national average—by 0.7%—the city ranks 155th out of 400 districts and cities surveyed. Yet averages can conceal sharper realities. Many individual households face far higher burdens than the data suggests, pushing financial strain beyond what broader figures indicate.

The findings underscore a growing challenge for renters across Germany. With more areas nearing the 30% burden mark, financial pressure on households is poised to intensify. Without changes, the trend could leave even middle-income earners struggling to afford housing in the coming years.